Margaret Clap, known as Mother Clap, ran one of the most popular molly houses in London during the 1720â˛s. Her molly house was located on Field-Lane in Holbourn ânext to the Bunch of Grapesâ.
For the "Conveniency of her Customers,â recalls Thomas Newton âshe had provided Beds in every Room in her House. She usually had 30 or 40 of such Persons there every Night, but more especially on a Sunday.â
Samuel Stevens deposed:
Mrs. Clap's House was notorious for being a Molly-House. - In order to detect some that frequented it, I have been there several Times, and seen 20 or 30 of 'em together, making Love, as they call'd it, in a very indecent Manner. Then they used to go out by Pairs, into another Room, and at their return, they would tell what they had been doing together, which they call'd marrying.
(Trial of Gabriel Lawrence, 20 April, 1726)
Stevens recalls that one Sunday night:
I found near Men Fifty there, making Love to one another as they call'd it. Sometimes they'd sit in one anothers Laps, use their Hands indecently Dance and make Curtsies and mimick the Language of Women - O Sir! - Pray Sir! - Dear Sir! Lord how can ye serve me so! - Ah ye little dear Toad! Then they'd go by Couples, into a Room on the same Floor to be marry'd as they call'd it. The Door at that Room was kept by - Ecclestone to prevent any body from balking their Diversions.
Stevens recalls that men would âbrag in plain Termsâ and âtalk'd all manner of the and most vile Obscenityâ in Margaret Clapâs presence âand she appear'd wonderfully pleas'd with it.â (Trial of Margaret Clap, 11 July, 1726)
Margaret Clap would take in mollies as lodgers. Newton testified that William Griffin (who was convicted of sodomy) and Thomas Phillips (who absconded) âwere Lodgers for near 2 Years at Clap's House.â (Trial of William Griffin, 20 April, 1726)
Margaret Clapâs molly house was raided by police on a Sunday night in February 1726 (New Style). Police took Clap along with her patrons and staff to Newgate prison to await trial. However most of the patrons were eventually set free due to lack of evidence, as it was not illegal to simply be in a molly house. (Mother Clap's Molly House by Rictor Norton, p54)
Thomas Newton went to post bail for Clap, but was approached by police offerers Williams and Willis who told him that they believed he could give them information âwhich I promis'd to do, and I went next Day, and gave Information accordingly.â (Trial of Gabriel Lawrence, 20 April, 1726) It seems Newton was offered immunity if he gave information about other mollies. Newton not only testified against Gabriel Lawrence and William Griffin who he had sex with at Clapâs house, but also Thomas Wright who owned his own molly house. Newton also collaborated with police to entrap William Brown on Sodomites Walk.
Gabriel Lawrence was found guilty of âcommitting with Thomas Newton, aged 30 Years, the heinous and detestable Sin of Sodomyâ and sentenced to death. (Trial of Gabriel Lawrence, 20 April, 1726)
William Griffin was found guilty of âCommitting Sodomy with Thomas Newton, May 10â and sentenced to death. (Trial of William Griffin, 20 April, 1726)
Thomas Wright was found guilty of âcommitting Buggery with Thomas Newton. Jan 10 1724-5â and sentenced to death. (Trial of Thomas Wright, 20 April, 1726)
William Brown was found guilty of âa Misdemeanour, in assaulting Thomas Newton, with an Intent to commit Sodomy with himâ and sentenced âto stand in the Pillory in Moorfields, pay 10 Marks, and suffer a Year's Imprisonment.â (Trial of William Brown, 11 July, 1726)
Ecclestone, who manned the door of the marrying room, died in Newgate awaiting trial. (Trial of Gabriel Lawrence, 20 April, 1726)
Margaret Clap was found guilty of âkeeping a House in which she procur'd and encourag'd Persons to commit Sodomyâ and sentenced âto stand in the Pillory in Smith field, pay a Fine of 20 Marks, and suffer two Years Imprisonment.â (Trial of Margaret Clap, 11 July, 1726)Â
